Nintendo Wii Vitality Sensor detects your pulse
By Nilay Patel 
posted Jun 2nd 2009 12:03PM
posted Jun 2nd 2009 12:03PM
Update: Check out the full press release here.
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And doesn't it just blow your mind.... Nintendo actually thinks that a pulse reader is the future??
wow...I would NEVER allow a game console to take my pulse.
"911 What is your emergency?"
"I took my pulse with my Wii and it says I'm dying!!!!"
"Sir that isn't you dying that is Nintendo's future"
Packaged for free with WiiFit Plus, this would have been a good addon/tracker for the excercise group. Since they totally missed that opportunity, this will be the most useless peripheral since ... well, ever?
@ inteller:
I bet you were predicting the death of Nintendo when the Wii was launched. I wonder how all that turned out?
LOL.
Keep crying into your RROD. Nintendo owns this generation. A simple fact - backed up by actual data. Sorry.
The guy in the picture can barely stop himself from bursting out laughing.
Perhaps some sort of deathclock...
Great, it can beep if I fall asleep while people are playing their games.
funny --- +1 for you!
Lie detector?
EPIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIC FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIL
http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/04/iwata-says-nintendo-plans-to-go-easy-on-the-accessories-for-now/
they just keep making crapgadgets...seriously, nintendo should have their own crapgadget section.
@tom
my thoughts exactly...play some "I Never" w/ your friends
@Quix
Nintendo won this generation. Sony won the one before. Microsoft look like winning the next.
Now go stick your face in a blender.
@Quix
It's a joke. Why do you have to be so offended?
omg...next thing you know...we'll have an ECG reader coming with out Wii...
Could this be any boring. Half their games are Mario... we get it.
Nintendo has jumped the shark.
They jumped it with Wind Waker. They're just being eaten alive by the sharks now while grandmas and young girls throw money at them.
Hey, Windwaker was awesome.
They jumped the shark at E3 2007, imo.
I would have said they jumped the shark when they called their system "Wii," but look how that turned out.
This is stupid. I hate Nintendo now.
next up, WiiPolygraph
Or a Wii Thetan Meter
Bah the theatan meter uses skin resistance, you'll have to wait for the next big controller release.
its like its the worlds most drawn out prank. nintendo is just fucking with us all now, laughing their asses off behind closed doors.
"lets see if theyre stupid enough to buy THIS!"
LOL your comment was hilarious. Had to close the door to my office. Your comment is so true. I gave up on the Wii awhile back. It's a joke.
Concenrned Nintendo Fan: "Hey Nintendo we want better online gaming and HD graphics."
Nintendo: "Fuck you! Buy our Vitality Sensor and add it to the stockpile of other useless acessories you will use for a week you bitches."
But hey it isn't Nintendo's fault that consumers continue to buy stupid ass things. Now let me see a fanboy defend this piece of work.
This is why I hacked the shit out of it. Got a drive loaded with games.
Probably used for some achievements in horror games..."Puls under 100 after surprise zombie attack achievement unlocked" etc.
"Crapgadget achievement unlocked."
Too bad the Wii doesn't even have achievements!
I imagine something like a biofeedback application to go with wii fit. Beyond that, I've no clue what they could want to use this for.
does it detect your pulse or is it just a pO2 sensor like they have in hospitals?
I work in a hospital. The Sp02 finger probes detect oxygen levels AND pulse.
It's a pulse oximeter by the looks of it so it should be able to do both, essentially by shining light through your finger. Depending on how much light gets absorbed it can estimate how much oxygen is in your blood and depending on how the light comes back in bursts it can tell your pulse.
This E3 presentation from Nintendo was just sad. Two games look decent enough to buy(Mario Galaxy 2 and the Metroid Game) but nothing groundbreaking or new. I think everyone else is just destined to get trounced by MS this year.
I'm essentially a Sony fanboy (owned ps1,ps3,psp) and I find it hard for Sony to beat MS this time around. Unless they come out with the slimline version...their biggest news got leaked which sucks beyond anything.
PSP Go looks like its going to pwn.
Ummm, sorry no. PSP go is the ugliest piece of crap to come out since the virtual boy.
Wow, a pulse Oximeter. Now all they need is the Wii blood pressure cuff, glucose blood sugar monitor, and a microsoft to listen to your heart sounds, and then they can released the much coveted "Wii Checkup". I'll be camping out overnight for sure.
that was supposed to say MICROPHONE, not microsoft. Doh.
Microsoft is listening to my heartbeat?!?!?!?! AHHH!!!!!!!
lolol +1 for marc
Dude, a device that gets me any closer to "playing doctor with th' ladies using my Wii" is full of win.
Seems cool enough. I hate the wire aspect, but I'll hold off judgement until it is released. Everything else Ninty has released since 2004 in the hardware market has went over pretty well.
Wow... I used to categorise Nintendo as one of the few companies that genuinely "got it" and hold the Wii and DS up as two of the most brilliant examples of challenging the status quo, innovating and expanding your market.
But the best they can come up with after 3 years of making piles of cash on Wii is a heart rate monitor? That's just... er... wow.
Its funny like Microsofts announcement yesterday this might also be ready around next years E3.
And i guess if it was Microsoft who was announcing this they would have made a 15 mins long video showing a family sitting in their living room, laughing and having a fun time with this new pulse reader and how it can control the world, and afterwords say that this surely would revolutionize the gaming industry, and everyone would agree.
But the nintendo way of showing 2 pics and then leave... well... its the Nintendo way, but atleast you won't get any false expectations.
I think it's pretty safe to say that the MS announcements were in a completely different league. A pulse monitor doesn't even compare to 1080p 5.1 surround sound movie/tv show downloads, ability to download full current games, and full body motion capture that basically turns the console into the computer from Minority Report.
uh no we wouldn't agree. Plus with the thing Microsoft is making, it can probably read your vitals by looking at you then sit and have a conversation with you about why you are all hot and bothered.
I'm just waiting for the first Photochop that shows someone wearing all of this Wii junk. It will become the new symbol for all the crapgadget $hit nintendo is pushing. I imagine the person would resemble a white borg.
WEAK very WEAK as always Nintendo tastes a little sucess by selling electronic scales and fucks the pooch by doing the same old shit. Not one new IP, nothing really relevant but they will still have great sucess because all yuo mofo are dumb shit bastards that buy all the shit as long as it has the Nintendo logo on it.
The only thing interesting I can think of would be if they made it so your character's performance was somehow tied to your pulse. Aside from that if it's just to try and get you to relax, that's pretty lame.
This could be cool if used well. Imagine a video game like Max Payne where you can enter bullet time if your heart beats fast or slow enough.
...only to be mucked up by the wii's shitty graphics. good idea though.
New Mario Galaxy, new Metroid, new multiplayer Mario, and WiiMotion Plus all announced... and the only thing that makes the homepage is the 30-second bit on Wii Vitality Sensor?
It's all about the page views..
None of the other things you mentioned are gadgets. I've never seen a single article on engadget about a new video game and don't expect to.
How is WiiMotion Plus not a gadget? At least there were game demos for it.
you're right, that one was, but engadget already did a story about it when they announced it last year.
What is next? Sex Toy?
thanks, now I can't get the mental image of white dildos with wrist straps out of my head.
Dude...that's already here...
Isn't it?
....-_-...
since a lot of their players are over 60, it's to check if they are still alive
Two words: Wii Lie Detector.
PolWiiGraph?
It's a stretch but I like it.
that is beyond dumb, that is just.... embarrassing. who was sitting there at the office and came up with this?! who actually thought it was a good idea?!
The entire press conference was entirely disappointing. They announced and showed about TWO things I hadn't already known about and/or seen. Btw, can anyone say gimmick AGAIN? It picks up your heartbeat, whoop-dee-friggin-doo. Nintendo has definitely "jumped the shark" as you all say. Totally blown away by Microsoft's conference yesterday. Now we just have to wait and see if Sony can redeem itself *fingers crossed*
yeah but if you added it to sniper game it would add an awesome new level of gameplay
Coming 2011: Wii sphygmomanometer.
You sir, get my +1 for using the word sphygmomanometer knowing that more than half the people reading won't know what it is.
if you think about it, if nintendo released this NOW, like no longer than by the end of today, it would appeal to some potential and non gamers and fit wanabees i guess.
But after today then the Natal effect kicks in, and all hope is lost
Wow this is weak!
This can only be utilised with some new Nintendo fitness package, Wii Plus etc. I think they were in a panic with Natal and just had to prepare something to show people "were still thinking about things".
However that being said, its not like Nintendo NEED to produce something amazing for E3 as their products are doing rather well.
Up next: The Wii Catheter and Wii Rectal Thermometer, for the true Wii health experience.
Wii rainmeter first for the weather aficionados surely.
Meh. I won't be interested until someone can fill my cavities with the Wii Dental Drill.
One thing it can't do is make Natal real.
aside from how stupid it is, why a finger clip? i could think of better ways that are less intrusive to video game playing.
name one.
@ WWhat How about integrating into the wrist strap?
awsome now i can "reel" my wiimote back after i put it through my tv :p
The only interest I have in this device is if I could have hooked it up while watching N's press conference on G4.
(How low can this thing register)? Zzzzzz.
First thing i am going to do is try to attach that to my dick, see if it gets a pulse!!!
Then i will sell it on eBay, hope you don't get a STD!!!
Did you really think that post was a good idea?
Finally the Wii name makes sense to me!!!
From the outset, I'll say I'm a Nintendo supporter, but absolutely not a fanboy.
I'm really guessing this is a pulse oximeter, which reads your pulse and the oxygen content in your blood. If you've ever had surgery, or other significant medical procedure, you'll almost have a flashback to the last time you had to wear one. Although the last one I wore, was actually a lot nicer. It was esentially a piece of tape (with a sensor built-in and a thin wire running off to a monitor) which made it a hell of a lot more comfortable than what even Nintendo is offering. If I'm not mistaken, some of these little things can actually get your blood pressure, but I have a feeling their accuracy is lacking (thus, they're not popular).
I would find this kind of useful, if there was an app that went with it for teaching relaxation techniques (and which gave you feedback based on your vitals that the device detected).
However, I also have an iPhone 3G and this looks just like the kind of thing that the external device support in the 3.0 OS will handle quite nicely (Apple showed a blood pressure cuff and talked about diabetes testing). Also, the iPhone would give a great platform for the same kind of software I was talking about. And best of all, the whole damn thing is portable and even the external part would fit easily in a pocket.
Nintendo, is the best you can cook up for E3 something that a smartphone developer (amongst other things) already has the platform for about to be released? Weak, weak, weak! Nintendo needs to come up with something real, and real soon, or they will be trading places with Sony on the sales list in last place, with Microsoft taking over first. I think we may be having a repeat in history with Nintendo's downfall unless they get their damn ducks in a row and fast!
QFT
Next up, wii body temp test. Insert in your anus.
Not sure what all the fuss is about. I'd guess this is intended for Wii Fit users.
End of story.
No since you cans see the fingersensor thingy is meant to be used while at rest
Man, this is such a lame idea :(
You know, if Nintendo is smart, they will release some sort of horror-based game that depends on this.. So that the more scared you get, it'll be able to detect your heart rate and perhaps effect your character ingame to perform better, or, worse.
=o
You know, a lot of people are bringing up horror. It has me wondering how much a horror game really affects your pulse... Does it actually make a discernible difference during those brief shockers? How long does the effect last? What would the variance be between a diverse group of gamers (especially veteran survival horror players versus new/inexperienced players?
I feel like there is too much to account for to make it applicable to horror games. That said, this seems of limited use and looks gimmicky. I own a Wii. I like some of the things that the Wiimote CAN bring to the table, but I feel like since Twilight Princess and Metroid Prime III, they haven't really continued that kind of quality use of the motion capabilities. Basically, most of the other games I've played were just random waggling for no good reason (often times with alternative buttons to use instead of the waggle).
Still, Metroid Prime III was my favorite FPS experience on console in terms of game control. Halo is my favorite FPS in terms of story. Take those two games out of the picture and I will gladly play FPS on PC, because I do not care for using two sticks to play over a mouse. They should make more FPS games like Metroid Prime III.
it's perfect for my dad who has heart problems but wants to be stylish. It'd be nice if I could write some wii mod software so my sister, who is a doctor, could monitor him. Wouldn't it be nice, a device to monitor pulse that is hooked up to a portable HD (SD card, whatever so I could take it with me to my doctor's wii) Or hell, upload it via wireless as I'm using it.
and the funny:
Push A to disable life monitoring.
Help, I've fallen and I can't get up. Activate the Wiicoptor and Wiiport me to the Wiiposital.
wow nintendo is really into health
You all will regret making fun of Nintendo when you are stuck waiting in long lines at Wal-Mart to use their 70s style arm-cuff blood pressure machine!
WTF? I have an oxymeter that also reads pulse. What the hell can you do with that? Pulse and oxygen levels do not vary that much unless you have respiratory problem. Are they targeting people with respiratory problems?!
Im guessing this will be built into the next controller, the Z-button maybe. With the new timestamping pedometer for the DS this will make for a pretty awsome setup for training. Nintendo will probably find a use for it in incorporating it into their games. With so many first party owned game developers they can push things to the market and make sure everyone gets the idea.
WTF! No waffle maker add on?! Aww man :(
Looks like a cotton picking oxygen sensor from the doctors office. Design and execution FAIL.
The thing with Nintendo is that they have been extremely purist with their gaming systems. They focus on making a simple and easy to use gaming system that can appeal to the masses. That focus has also made them the innovators of the gaming world. They stomped the face of Atari with the NES and SNES. They stomped the face of Sega with SNES and N64, and Cube. This generation, the Wii stomped the face of Microsoft and Sony. They did so with pure innovation. This doesnt mean that the systems that Nintendo released were amazing and set the standard for gaming. It means that they always bring a completely new component to the gaming industry forcing everyone else to play catch up.
the downfall of Nintendo is the fact that they dont seek to improve their systems. they just continue to re-invent gaming and move on. Its the reason why XBox and PS3 have so much better games, graphics, and support. I think that Nintendo will always push the envelope but it will be its competitors who will fully develop the new sections Nintendo introduces.
+'ed. Good read.
Stomped? Perhaps by selling a $100 to $150 cheaper console to an audience that will leave when this Wii fad gets old. Nintendo has basically alienated their base. Sony and Microsoft have brought more inviduals to their respective brands that will more than likely stick around. Also that Wii attachment rate is dismal. I wouldn't say stomped. Its sold more but at what cost?
@longshotX
Yes, stomped. Just look at the number of Wii's sold vs. the XBox 360 and PS3. The fact that the Wii was $100-150 cheaper ( that's the hard drive and Blu-Ray player on the other 2 systems) has nothing to do with it since even after the XBox 360 and PS3 went down in price, it was still outselling them.
As for the Wii fad, its still going. I didn't think fads lasted this long. You should re-read my post before spouting nonsense about alienating their base. Its hard to alienate your base when your base is the general population. Nintendo from day 1 has claimed to be the FAMILY gaming console. Not the 15-28 MALE gaming console. Thats why they release games and peripherals that will appeal to everyone, whether they be soccer moms or grandparents. Heck, outside the US, the NES was called The Family Console. The only niche that could be alienated would be the hardcore gamers like myself but even i have my favorite games on the Wii.
Again, re-read my post. I did state that Microsoft and Sony have the better systems. However, that's only because they actually DEVELOP their systems through progressive improvements to games while Nintendo re-invents gaming. It's why the new motion baton from Sony looks to be 1000x better than the technology used for the Wii. Nintendo introduced it first though, Sony is playing catch up.